A JRPG with a thought provoking ending

If there's one thing most JRPGs admire, it's their stories. Whether it's a single game or an entire series, many fans have become hooked on JRPG universes due to the games' strong emphasis on storytelling. Fantasy JRPGs are often high-stakes, with the fate of the world or even existence hanging in the balance. Even if the stakes are lower, well-written characters and a good plot will be just as attractive to players.



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But one of the main pillars of history is its end. Whether the game is an ARPG marvel or a tense epic of intrigue and plot twists, a bad ending will at best forever serve as a caveat for fans recommending the game, and at worst completely destroy any goodwill the game has built up to this point. These JRPGs, in particular, not only have good endings that tie up loose plot threads nicely, but also have incredibly brooding endings that make the player question everything about the games…and possibly their lives.


8 Suicoden 2

The real ending of this game is a miracle

Suicoden 2

systems

PC-1 PlayStation-1

Released
September 29, 1999

About to happen Suicoden the remastered collection will undoubtedly bring a lot of attention to the legendary pair of initial games that started this series. Suicoden 2, in particular, it's a great finale to the overarching story laid out in the first title, especially for those who collect all 108 Stars of Destiny.


The true ending in this title, available to those who have collected all possible companions in the game, is an incredibly insightful and satisfying conclusion to the campaign that has been carried out, and gives the player the opportunity to see the entire sequence of events that defined the narrative from a new perspective.

7 Final Fantasy 10

An emotional, powerful finale

systems

PlayStation-1

Released
December 17, 2001

OpenCritic rating
Strong

It is considered one of the best Final Fantasy names, both for beginners and in general, Final Fantasy 10 it's an emotional masterpiece that ends on a rich, poignant note that's sure to stick in players' minds long after the game is over.

The sequel to this game is held in the same high regard, although it softens the ending of this game, as some things that were neatly folded together are suddenly undone for the sake of the plot.


6 Triangle strategy

The nature of victory and democracy is questioned in every final

systems

super grayscale 8 bit logo PC-1

Released
March 4, 2022

OpenCritic rating
Strong

One of the best modern JRPGs with branching stories, Triangle strategy offers the player a variety of thought-provoking endings depending on their choices throughout the story. It's an incredibly novel way of storytelling from Square Enix, and hopefully they'll replicate it soon.

While there is a golden path that provides the perfect ending in this game, there are also three belief-based endings that – through their bitterness – give the player something to think about. These darker “non-golden” endings are what players are most likely to see during their first run and reflect a game filled with ethical dilemmas and gray morals.


5 Chrono Trigger

Lots of exciting endings

I like it Triangle strategy, Chrono Trigger offers a variety of endings depending on the player's choices, though they all come at a similar point in the story's climactic finale. Each ending, while different, provides an emotional and thought-provoking conclusion to one of the most influential JRPGs of all time.

The endings, and their presence after defeating the difficult final boss, is a broad and massive celebration of the incredibly confusing setting that this game has created throughout the various time periods.

4 P3 Reload

More linear than the next personas, but with a great ending


Released
February 2, 2024

Developer(s)
P-Studio

OpenCritic rating
Powerful

The third Person the game was the first in the series to truly set itself apart as more than just a spin-off Shin Megami Tensei series. There's certainly an incredible amount of merit to the first two titles, but this was the one that helped establish it Person as the sleek, stylish series it is known for today.

This game only has one true ending, but it's the result of an incredibly long and deep game, and the player feels not just incredibly satisfied, but – in true megami tensei fashion – lost in thought about the very nature of divinity and reality.

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3 Trails In The Sky SC

Fantastic ending and one of the best games on the circuit

There is stiff competition for the best game in Nihon Falcom's legendary library of titles, but the second chapter Trails in the sky would probably come close thanks to the cohesive cast of emotional characters.


The ending of this title is a perfect synthesis of the plot elements of both this game and its predecessor, coming together in a more than satisfying ending, but with players that are truly impressive.

2 Shin Megami Tensei 4: Apocalypse

The dark ending is impressive

So much about Shin Megami Tensei the series is thought-provoking. What is the true nature of divinity? What role do humanity and faith play in the creation of the gods? Why are some of these games so difficult? Players may never find all the answers they're looking for.

Apocalypse it's a unique SMT title in that it eschews law and chaos for the dark and light versions of the neutral ending, much like the previous game eschewed law and chaos for the “you do all the sidequests and such” ending. ​​​​​​While the light neutral ending is incredibly rewarding, the dark neutral ending is so grand in scope and such a bleak end to an amazing title that it can't help but leave players thinking deeply about how fundamentally they've just changed the SMT installation.


1 Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers Of Sky

A classic Pokemon spin-off with a surprisingly deep ending

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Sky Explorers

systems

super grayscale 8 bit logo

Released
October 12, 2009

For many people of a certain age, they would have been just kids when this game came out. New, interesting Pokemon the title hits the shelves and a bunch of kids eagerly grab it. What they probably didn't expect was one of the most emotional and mature stories to be included in Pokemon history to date (a low bar, but impressive nonetheless).

Explorers of the sky has a great time-bending ending that includes a deeply emotional climax and – especially when viewed in conjunction with the sky exclusive special episodes – an incredibly fascinating and insightful look at the nature of time and space in the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series.

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